We’re excited to announce the recipient of this year’s NICU Hero Awards, proudly sponsored by Keenova.
The Hand to Hold NICU Hero Awards recognize exceptional NICU professionals and NICU units that go above and beyond in providing compassionate, family-centered care to babies and their families.
Each year, NICU parents and professionals have the opportunity to nominate individuals and healthcare teams who have made a lasting impact through their dedication, compassion, and commitment to supporting families throughout the NICU journey.
The NICU Heroes selection committee, which included perspectives from H2H leadership, the board, and NICU parents, reviewed nominees using a scoring rubric focused on three areas: impact on NICU families, compassion and support, and going above and beyond. Our winners were selected based on their overall scores and the meaningful difference they make in the lives of NICU families.
We are honored to celebrate those who make such a meaningful difference in the lives of NICU families every day.
Erin Tukua – NICU Hero Individual Award Winner
This year’s NICU Hero Award for Outstanding NICU Professional recognizes Erin Tukua, a Certified Child Life Specialist who served on the Palliative Care Team supporting the Garcia family during their son’s 133-day NICU stay in 2024. Erin was nominated by NICU mom Kaori Garcia and her family in California.
Kaori wanted to share a few words from her nomination about the extraordinary difference Erin made for their family:
“She got to know me and my family so well, and carefully curated special gifts and activities for my daughter (2 years old at the time), so that she eventually enjoyed going to the hospital every weekend with us to visit her baby brother. She shared several books with me to read to my son, prepared ‘Big Sister’ packages to share with my daughter at home, and helped us capture special moments together as a family when my daughter was finally able to meet her baby brother for the first time.
Erin’s care and compassion truly was such a special gift to us. The way she saw every little detail in order to help make our stay as “comfortable” as possible, even during the hardest days. Eventually, my son passed away after 133 days, and even the care that Erin put into all of the final activities we were able to do as a family meant the world to us.
I am so blessed that my son came into this world to introduce me to such a kind human. Through all of the heartbreak of losing my son, I’m still grateful for all of the incredible humans I met through the process.
Erin truly put our family in the CENTER of it all. She knew that my kids are my WORLD. Erin truly has a heart of GOLD!”
Patient Family Experience Committee, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital NICU – NICU Hero Unit Award Winners
This year’s NICU Hero Award for Outstanding NICU Unit recognizes the Patient Family Experience Committee at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital NICU in Ohio, nominated by Ashley Nogueira.
This interdisciplinary team goes above and beyond their regular responsibilities to promote family-centered care, encourage parents’ presence at the bedside, and improve the NICU experience for the entire family. Through monthly and holiday events, family activities, and special celebrations, the committee creates opportunities for connection, joy, and positive memories for parents and siblings alike. Their dedication reflects a deep understanding that parents are the most important care team member and that supporting the whole family is an essential part of the NICU experience.
Nominator Ashley Nogueira says, “I am so proud of the compassionate care that just radiates from this amazing group of interdisciplinary team members. These people each have very different roles in the NICU from direct patient care to administrative tasks but come together to really make a difference for the families.”
Congratulations to our 2026 NICU Hero Award winners!
The 2026 NICU Hero Awards are proudly sponsored by Keenova.
